A linked clone is a copy of a virtual machine (VM) that shares virtual disks with its parent VM. The term is most often associated with VMware.

Utilizing snapshots to solve VM management headaches

Access this exclusive guide to learn how snapshots can benefit your IT shop by saving you time and resources while reducing management stress. Additionally, find out how to troubleshoot problems that occur when snapshots are used incorrectly.

By submitting my Email address I confirm that I have read and accepted the Terms of Use and Declaration of Consent.

By submitting your personal information, you agree to receive emails regarding relevant products and special offers from TechTarget and its partners. You also agree that your personal information may be transferred and processed in the United States, and that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.

In a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), a linked clone contains all the files available on a parent VM at the time of a snapshot. Although the linked clone must always have access to the parent VM or it will shut down, changes to the parent VM's virtual disks do not affect the linked clone -- or vice versa. Instead, to preserve disk capacity, changes are stored in a delta disk on a per-VM basis.

If an administrator wants to update a parent's VM and have those changes reflected on the children, the administrators needs to perform a recompose. Desktop recomposition simultaneously updates all the linked clone desktops anchored to a parent virtual machine so the linked clones point to the right base disk. The net effect is all the changes accrued in the delta disk are lost, and users get a brand new virtual desktop. To do this, however, end users have to log off their desktops and then log back on when the new desktop is ready.

For linked clones to be possible, administrators must install the VMware View Composer Service on their vCenter servers.

E-Chapter

0 comments

E-Mail

Username / Password

Password

By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Privacy